FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 3/26/2002

WHAT: Dane County Executive Kathleen Falk, Dane County UW-Extension, and John Judd, recipient of one of last year’s Dane County Ag Grants, will talk about and show improvements to farm productivity gained through a new animal handling system. The Ag Grant helped Judd install the system.

County Executive Falk created the grant program as a way to help farmers stay farming in Dane County, which is home to 2,500 farms. The farm tour will feature a low cost heifer and dry cow facility emphasizing low cost construction, animal health, and ease of feeding and cleaning, while protecting the environment.

WHAT: The tour will highlight an innovative housing system for 150 heifers and dry cows that includes open lots with wind break shelter and fence line Total mixed dairy rations (TMR) feeding. The system emphasizes low-cost construction, animal health, and ease of feeding and cleaning while protecting the environment. The Judd Farm is located at the head of the Upper Suger River Watershed and practices have been adopted to protect the water quality of the river.

WHO: Other farmers and agricultural producers, the media and the public are invited. There is no cost, and no registration is required.